Sew a Men’s Shirt: Part 2 - Amazing Collar Technique you HAVE to try! M8415

In this episode, I’ll show you how to sew the pointiest points on your collar, and then I’ll rock your world with a totally different way to attach the collar and collar stand! This is the BEST way to sew a collar that I have ever tried!!
In this video, I asked for help identifying a video I have seen that inspired this method, and so far, this is the closest one I've received: • 287 - Men's Shirt - Co... Thanks to Michele for sending that one from @FHSSVideos on YT.
Part 1: • Sew a Men’s Shirt: Par...
Part 3: • Sew a Men’s Shirt: Par...
I’m using McCall’s M8415. Link to the pattern: simplicity.com...
MY FAVE SEWING TOOLS: My sewing machine - Babylock Sofia 2
My serger - an old Kenmore
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Music: A Caring Friend by Bad Snacks from the KZbin Audio Library
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Until next time, take care!
~Catherine
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[@LoriP-w5j]

I saw Casey at Pattern Scout apply this technique on her linen blouse. I’ll never go back to the big 4 way again either! Thanks for sharing!

[@lesleylatham8414]

Your instructions are sooooo awesomely clear. Thank you, you're an amazing teacher! A new video from Catherine Sews makes my day!

[@AllieCasey]

Excellent tutorial! Even though I've been sewing for 6 decades...it's always smart to keep learning new techniques. I recently made two flannel shirts using this technique and it is indeed a better way. Thank you for sharing, Catherine!

[@cindytalbot2028]

I used to make my husband flannel shirts like this when he was in graduate school about forty five years ago. I was always so proud of them. After many decades I am wanting to make myself a shirt. You have really inspired me with this technique. Can't wait to try it. Thank you.

[@rosariacarlostella9105]

Loving the techniques. Thanks Catherine ❤

[@suzisaintjames]

14:48 I use the tailor's ham to iron the collar stand. What do you think? 💖🌞🌵😷

[@shirleysneddon9573]

Just another little tip. When you turn your collar and have the pink thread at the tips of the collar, don’t pull it out until after you topstitch. As you are going to the point of collar and turning to go the other direction, you can use the pink thread to give a little tug until you get over the bogging down of the machine in that area. When I used to work in theater designing and sewing, we would often combine the collar and the stand pattern to make one piece and then stitch down the whole length of where you want the collar to bend. You can eliminate bulk that way. It’s fun to try new and different ways. I enjoy watching your videos, you do such a great job of teaching and speaking in a comprehensive way. Thank you

[@melissaegbertson9100]

Excellent job, Catherine! Thanks for bringing this collar technique to us, it will help a lot to make our home sewing look beautiful and crisp! Cheers!

[@sandychilese2893]

That collar construction is AMAZING! My husband likes to wear patriotic shirts; they are hard to find, often badly made and expensive. I promised him I'd make him several this year and I was dreading the collar. I can't believe how much easier is this going to be! Thank you, Catherine. I can't wait to get to work.

[@margaritamcorona5363]

I absolutely love this shirt series 😍 thank you 💛

[@dausmer]

I have used this method many times but also cannot remember where I learned it. It really does give a neat result.

[@whatnow8362]

Thank you for showing this method of doing the collar stand because I just made my first men’s shirt with the traditional way of doing the collar stand and I hated it so much. I’m going to do this method for the next one.

[@deb.m.7458]

Catherine, I think the difference for me is that you are a teacher that loves to sew. I am able to understand the execution. Glad you didn’t use dark fabric or something wild where you can’t see the stitching. Learned a lot today.

[@francoisebarberaduarte7462]

Hello. I have a tip for sewing the edges of the pointed corners of the collar. When you turn outside out the collar do not remove the “pink thread “ and use it a second time to help pulling the corners when sewing. Try it. It’s work fantastic

[@CatherineSews]

That is such a good idea! Thanks!

[@corrineshilling5949]

Thank you Catherine, I can make my shirts beautifully now ❤

[@jejwysokoscable]

"That's the pointiest point I've ever pointed" ❤❤❤❤😂

[@cheryl3366]

You are amazing at stitching edge stitching. I find it much less frustrating to just do it by hand. Old school sewing. I am so picky, need to stop being so picky.

[@whatnow8362]

I’m about to make my husband a nice thick cotton lumberjack shirt and was dreading the collar but now I’m so excited to try this technique.

[@artsymaddieDIY]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant 🤗💗🌟

[@lorrainedempsey3320]

You have given us many GREAT tips, over time, but, I believe the pointed collar tip, is the best so far. A big thank you.!!! 👏👏👏

[@davederrick9431]

I have the same problems wiith the collar stand corners - sometime 😢

[@elainelear4982]

Congratulations on figuring out a new way to sew the collar. I'm going to take what I've learned and repurpose a long wool coat to a jacket. ( be brave!!)

[@dianevcalhoun6848]

This is a comment on doing the top stitching of the collar. If you keep your pink thread, that helped you do your color points, in the collar until after you press it, you can hold the pink thread to help you hold onto the collar so when you turn the topstitch corner. you can have the machine easily to stitch the corner. Sorry if that is long and rambling, I’m using my auto dictate on my phone.

[@CatherineSews]

Oh, I think I see what you mean!! That’s a great idea!!

[@larryg6221]

I think I understood the collar stand on 2nd watch. I didn't position my pink threads correctly so that didn't work but I've learned something. Finishing my collar today then onto buttons!

[@dutchessblackhawk732]

OMG THANK YOU! I struggle so much with those corners of a collar. I will be using this tomorrow when I set in my collar!

[@deannesmith4979]

Way to go with the thickness helper behind the sewing foot. I knew you knew what to do. I have plenty of that kind of things that happen throughout my day. Then later remember the trick or tip. 🎉 sometimes it would be nice to have a sewing angel on my shoulder promptly me,, yet maybe not😅

[@CatherineSews]

Right!? I knew that some people watching would be yelling at their screens to remind me!

[@deannesmith4979]

@@CatherineSews not yelling, hoping it would come to you cause i couldn't remember what to call it, Lol we all have those moments my friend and sometimes more than i want anyone to know so that is why i would like a sewing angel prompting me and it should be with kindness. Just glad there are more in this club with me. Not criticism as we are here to enjoy and learn.

[@CatherineSews]

@@deannesmith4979 oh, absolutely 💯. Your tone was very kind so I didn’t take it as criticism at all. Just a kindred soul with the same struggles, lol.

[@elviraberry2942]

TY for the very informative video. I dislike the "Nehru" collar on my jean jacket . Someone suggested adding a shirt collar to it and she said it's doable. She is a n experienced sewist, I'm not. Although your video gave me some insight on the making of a collar, I don't think I am able to tackle that job yet, but I'll try and improvise. TY once again.

[@kaleidoscopehome-culture2415]

Thank you for sharing this great technique! I'll be referencing this video when I get to my hubby's shirt😊

[@dpr4820]

I made a man's shirt once when I was in high school. It turned out so great. I was very detailed back then (but i had much more time), but your techniques have inspired me again. Thanks! For turning at the point, maybe if you leave the pink thread in you could pull it to assist you over the point!

[@kcastillo0319]

Another great video. Again, the same technique Margaret Islander taught ("burrito"). I'll save this series and I won't have to dig out her DVD. Note - if you search for burrito method for collars, I think you will find some good tutorials. You have done such a beautiful job on the shirt. ❤ .. Kay in Dallas, Texas

[@lilaholland5764]

Love it! Used to make denim shirt/jackets for my farmer dad. Always detested collar construction, it seemed so clunky. Can't wait to try your way of assembly... Thanks Catherine !

[@maryjones8951]

We used the tail of the over locker leave long tail and sandwich between seam pull through when you turn it out

[@sharonthrelfall7174]

Amazing technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@gillianwoods8610]

Thankyou Catherine, I hate the collar stand on a shirt. I'm in the process of making a shirt for my hubby when this video popped up again. I'm definitely going to give this a go. X

[@sosewmad]

Genius!

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you. And BTW, I love the name of your channel!

[@sosewmad]

@@CatherineSews Thank you so much, I adore watching yours, you provide so much inspiration and information. Much appreciated

[@CatherineSews]

@@sosewmad I often wish there was a big YT conference where we could all meet and mingle. Wouldn’t that be great!?

[@sosewmad]

​@@CatherineSewsabsolutely! I'd love that. I'm lucky to be going to the knitting and stitching show in march and I get to meet lots of fellow KZbinrs there we all get on so well. I love it. Do u have similar shows where u are?

[@macuisinesanssulfites4101]

Thank you so, so much for these videos. Collars give me a hard time (doesn’t help that I don’t even use patterns). One of my projects for 2024 is a shirt with a stand collar. The fabric has been waiting in my stash because I am so scared to mess things up! Oh, and by the way, Admiral Gudinov is a good friend of mine too 😉! Love you, Catherine, you’re the best!

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, it took me a moment to figure out who Admiral Gudinov was!! But yes, he’s a great friend!

[@leannsews]

Oh wow! Im going to try this out but only on a dummy shirt. I think I'll use different colours for the pieces to see if i can make sense of it. I think i get it but will try it before "going live". Thanks so much. 😃 Sadly, I've never been good at collars.😢 This may change my life. 😊

[@lorrainedempsey3320]

Great way to sew a collar stand. It makes life so much easier. Thank you, Catherine.🪡🧵

[@daxxydog5777]

I love the men’s shirt tutorial, and I can really appreciate an easier collar method. I watched a Lifting Pins and Needles tutorial on an easy way to do a camp collar (just make a facing that goes all the way across the neck) and it just blew my mind at how much easier it is. So many things transfer to women’s shirts because we also wear, you know, shirts, too!

[@cheryl3366]

Yes, Karina is another great sewing resource. I watch her and Catherine all the time. ❤

[@deb.m.7458]

Small sewing world. I’ve learned sew much from this channel and Karina’s. Had a lot of UFOs starting out. Very little wastage now. Learned a lot of thrifting techniques, so now can alter or remake things I’ve made.

[@klynndubois6200]

I’m not scared anymore. Thanks ❤

[@lolawall3561]

Great video. I love the corner technique for the corners of the collar. I will definitely use this trick, awesome! Happy sewing.

[@gwenhaller8170]

Great video! When I started making my husband's shirts I ran across this technique in Sandra Betzina's book, More Power Sewing, in which she credited Margaret Islander for a tip she calls the "burrito technique." It is a game changer! Thanks for sharing it on video.

[@CatherineSews]

Oh, interesting! I’ve only heard the term Burrito applied to the yoke. I’ll have to check out that book! I probably have it somewhere!

[@lorieburtt592]

Oh my goodness, I’m so glad I watched this, because I’m just about to begin sewing several shirts with collar stands. I couldn’t quite understand what was going on at first, but as soon as you started sewing I had that “aha” moment, and it’s genius! This method completely eliminates that bulky, wonky beginning and end where you would ordinarily close up the collar stand. This also affirms my belief that pattern instructions are not necessarily the best way to construct a garment, but they are just the easiest/fastest way to *describe* how to construct the garment. I call them “lowest common denominator” instructions, because they simplify the writing, and the garment *can* be completed that way, regardless of the finished result. Thank you for this superior method! 🩷

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you! And I absolutely agree about pattern instructions. Stuffing the sausage is just too hard to draw and describe! It definitely needs a video.

[@bonnierobbins4230]

Hello! Nice to see part 2!😊 Bonnie Ohio USA

[@NancySchober]

The first time I saw that collar point turning hatch was on the YT channel This is Katchi

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, I’ll check that out!

[@cyb539]

Hi, thank you , i finally understand how to do.

[@elayned6147]

Very nice technique, I will try this next time I make a shirt, looks like it would be a great alternative 👏👍

[@bonnierobbins4230]

If I run into that problem with presser foot..I lift up foot needle down and anchor a button on the back. Gently lower foot and continue to sew.😊

[@consolw]

This is brilliant! I like to wear a long open shirt over a sleeveless top but always dread making collars for the exact same reason. Not any more. I’m going to try this method and I thank you for sharing it 👍💕

[@debraimmer260]

Great tip on the collar

[@susuburleson878]

I have fabric and patterns for shirts for myself that I’ll be making soon. I’m very excited about using this method. Thank you so much!

[@arlenemurphy804]

Making a shirt for me right now so I will be trying your technique today. Those corners are the worst part of making a shirt. Wish me luck

[@tknow9298]

Great instruction. An outstanding video.

[@ruthkirkparick3535]

I encountered that collar stand method a few years ago, in a commercial pattern instructions. I am still hunting for the pattern--don't know what I did with it. I will get back to you if I find it.

[@edwardbrown7571]

Thanks for the Men's Shirt series... Men are often ignored in sewing posts and even made fun of at material stores when trying to purchase bulk material. With divorce at 65%, stores are missing half of the population by ignoring men. I used to watch 'Stylish D' who did very interesting sewing instructions for guys needing to make clothes adjustments, but he stopped posting about three years ago... Have a good afternoon...

[@NYCisland]

There are two men sewists I follow who (mostly) do men's clothing and they're really, really good. I learn things that I can apply to women's clothing too. 1) Cornelius Quiring and 2) Tock Custom.

[@edwardbrown7571]

I have watched Cornelius too... He is very good at explaining things as well... But I had not heard of Tock... Thanks for giving me that... Enjoy the rest of the day...@@NYCisland

[@kimshannon6408]

Great job, well done!!!

[@1wolfpup]

Thank you, so much for sharing this!

[@magsohara7908]

Great job on the collar and stand Catherine. I have a feeling that it was Karina from lifting pins and needles where I saw something very similar. Thanks for sharing 🙋🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@CatherineSews]

Ok, thank you. I’ll check her out!

[@missmix48]

!!!!!! If you leave that pink thread on your corner you can grab that and give it a slight pull when you are sewing the edge around it for the top stitch & your needle won't hesitate to keep sewing. Then after it is all done you can pull that thread out. !!!!!!

[@margaretsmith8066]

Love you're videos. Those collars for me are also fidgety...love the technique ❤

[@marthaluciagarcia176]

Excellent job

[@suzisaintjames]

Just wondering why you didn't use a tailor's clapper on this project. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@tinanassar9431]

Thank you for having something for men. Off topic, but I can't find this answer anywhere, when creating a knit bodice block for men do you just use the same method as you would for women? I can't find ANYTHING regarding a knit bodice block for men. Love, Love your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@CatherineSews]

Hmmm, good question! I think you would just do the same as you would for women. It would be simpler though because you don’t have to accommodate the bustline.

[@whatnow8362]

Oh I was really hoping this would work for me but I think the fabric I’m using is too thick for this method. Oh well I’ll try it again on shirting rather than flannelette.

[@michelejackson3615]

Have you tried searching for "burrito style" when doing the collar stand? I got a result that looks like what you're doing.

[@sewwithmsjones1196]

What kind of interfacing are you using? It looks like a woven fusible.

[@maryjanegibson7743]

Check out the Nancy Zieman books for good ideas of sewing collars. Her "wrapped corner" technique is excellent, and you'll never make a collar any other way after that.

[@mimzyriepensell1423]

I have a question, my husband has a “work “ jacket/coat that the pockets are back on the side seam and low, difficult to reach and everything falls out of. I removed the pocket linings and stitched the seams closed but would love guidance in placing new pockets. Thanks in advance.😊

[@CatherineSews]

Are you thinking of making patch pockets out of a different fabric?

[@mimzyriepensell1423]

@@CatherineSews actually I was hoping to cut open the pockets and use the linings I removed but I wasn’t sure how to stabilize it

[@mimzyriepensell1423]

It’s a plaid fabric and it’s fraying at the seams, which I had no idea until I opened it. I did a double row of stitching and then zigzagged the edges.

[@CatherineSews]

@@mimzyriepensell1423 I don’t think you’ll be able to use that lining unless you want to put the pockets back into the side seams. If you want them more forward, you could do a patch pocket or even a welt pocket but you’ll need new fabric.

[@mimzyriepensell1423]

@@CatherineSews ok I do have other fabric I can use, do I need to use a stabilizer on the plaid fabric before creating the welt pockets? And would I do those similar to a zipper pocket (on a purse) minus the zipper?

[@lindsayturtle]

I'm so stumped! I am making the size small and the neck band/stand piece is too big! The notches don't line up - the neck stand notch is 1.5cm further from the centre back than the the one on the back piece and the end of the neck band sticks out 3cm from the front edge of the shirt instead of just a seam allowance amount. I have double and triple checked that I cut out the right pieces.

[@antoniokinsey4041]

Hi, where is part one?

[@CatherineSews]

@@antoniokinsey4041 here’s the whole set: kzbin.info/aero/PLSRl5d8hygcAxNpfNq57Dj-HM3S-CgTrM&si=2YtFmUnj9C8knkum

[@MariaMartinez-xm4fl]

😮😮😮... ❤❤❤

[@TheOnlyJennySutton]

Whitney.... can’t remember her channels name ....she has demonstrated this technique

[@Maplecook]

Woooooooooot!!

[@NYCisland]

For the collar, see Cornelius Quiring on YT - "how to draft and sew a collar to perfection"

[@wyattcornwall1238]

I had the same problem when it comes to getting a neat finish where the collar band ties into button plackets/bands. I came across a video about a year ago that describes the technique you are using. I don't know if it's the same one you saw, but I am including it for your perusal! Great job and thanks for sharing your expertise with the sewing community! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZSbon2qgrqGr80&pp=ygUnYSBuZWF0ZXIgd2F5IHRvIHNldyBhIGNvbGxhciBvbiBhIHNoaXJ0

[@estellek993]

Thank you Catherine, this is an amazing technique for a neat collar. A similar technique which ends up with the final closure at the line between stand and collar rather than the shirt and collar stand, is here, by The Serial Hobbyist Girl kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZSbon2qgrqGr80 This final closure has the final two pieces being straighter, rather than matching to the very curved line of the shirt neckline. Perhaps you've tried this one too?

[@sinisalo8710]

completely lost me at the stuffed sausage part, really wanted to understand your method

[@michaelsnider2484]

Dear Ms. Catherine: I am a subscriber, and generally watch every one of your videos but I skipped the last one and I am going to skip this one, too. The idea of making a mans shirt, or even watching you do it, is too much for me! See ya on the next one!

[@CatherineSews]

No problem, Michael! I understand that every video won't be a great fit for every viewer. Hopefully I'll catch you on the next one!

[@janetrivera5275]

I am a new sewist and I try to find easy ways of sewing because of my disability. Last week I tried to sew various button shirts for myself but was quite frustrated when I reached the collar. I spent various hours watching videos to find an easier way of doing my collars and I found the pointy corner method in kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV69ip18js-GaJI and various tailors. I also found that they fold the curve down and sideways to get a perfect curve. I later found a great way of doing the collar at Tutorial for Collar with Stand: A better, neater way to attach it. and I also came across the video you might be looking for at kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIKUh4WNad2Igtk. She also mentions a book that teaches shirt techniques. I don't know if you will see this since it has been a year, but I know you are always trying new things, and this is why I watch your channel. I like to try new ways of doing things instead of following the patterns. Thanks for this video. I was not understanding what she was explaining in her video because I couldn't quite see it clearly in that video.